Congress eyeing law to absolve National Guard from repaying bonuses

by: Travis J. Tritten | .

Stars and Stripes | .

published: October 28, 2016

WASHINGTON – Support was building on Capitol Hill on Thursday for a new law that could absolve some Army National Guard troops from repaying re-enlistment bonuses doled out during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The top Republican and Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee said they are hoping to permanently protect troops and veterans from the National Guard’s controversial effort to collect the bonuses by passing legislation in the coming weeks as part of the annual defense budget.

A group of more than 100 House members – mostly Democrats – also sent a letter to the chamber’s leadership asking they move quickly to pass a law giving troops some relief.

After days of public outcry, the Pentagon on Wednesday temporarily halted the collection of the bonus payments of $15,000 or more and some education benefits from National Guard troops in California. Nearly 10,000 soldiers and veterans there could be affected.